A community committed to it's people - 5 November 2007
If you’ve dreamt of living in a beautiful rural setting in a warm and welcoming community but think it is out of reach, think again.
The Balingup community is defying the standard convention that older people must move to bigger towns and centres because of their needs.
A group of passionate locals has rallied together to create Balingup Vintage Home Town for Life and have designed and built homes in the town that cater for older people and those with special needs.
“The idea was to enable older people or people with a mixed range of abilities to stay in the community they have links to by providing appropriate accommodation,” group vice president Kethrine Spence said.
“The Vintage group has also created a service directory of local people and businesses that can support these people and their lifestyles.
“We believe it’s the first project of its type in Western Australia and hope that it inspires other smaller communities so they can support people with needs who want to stay in their community.”
The project has been supported by the Shire of Donnybrook/Balingup, The Country Women’s Association and government agencies such as the South West Development Commission.
“Balingup really is a passionate, close-knit community,” Ms Spence.
“Many people work hard to put something back into the town.”
Two of the three Vintage homes are already occupied with older residents really enjoying their new quality lifestyle.
“We are open to older people or people with special needs who want to live in a “rural village” style community,” Ms Spence said.
“So if your dream is to live in our community, contact the Balingup Vintage Group through the people listed below.”
For more information call Kethrine Spence on 9764 1334, Judy Bishop on 9764 1235 or Jan Helsham on 9764 1614.